Services

Danville Regional provides over 25 medical specialties and 14 surgical services to the community. DRMC has the largest, leading-edge surgical capacity in the Dan River Region. We provide a full range of surgeries, including those usually found only at large teaching hospitals.

Whether you are a patient or visitor at Danville Regional Medical Center, we want your experience with us to be as pleasant as possible. We have provided helpful information to help you during your stay or while visiting a patient in the hospital.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Definition

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) belongs to a group of disorders called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. It is caused when a woman drinks
alcohol
during pregnancy. The alcohol can cause birth and developmental defects in the baby. These defects make up FAS.

Causes

Alcohol can cross from the mother's blood to the baby's blood. It is passed through the placenta. Even a small amount of alcohol can damage the fetus. It is not known how much alcohol it takes to cause defects. The risk increases with moderate to heavy drinking and with binging. But, even social drinking may pose a danger.

Any type of alcohol, including beer and wine, can cause birth defects.

Blood Traveling Through Mother's Placenta to Baby

Alcohol travels through this path and affects the baby's development, particularly the heart and brain.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask you about your alcohol intake while pregnant. The child's growth will be assessed. A physical exam will be done. The diagnosis is based on:

History of alcohol use

Characteristic facial appearance

Slow growth

Nervous system problems

Some children with this condition do not have the typical physical features. Their condition is described as:

Fetal alcohol effect

Alcohol related neurodevelopmental disorder

An early diagnosis can help your child get the proper services.

Treatment

There is no specific medical treatment for this condition. Early intervention is helpful, as well as a supportive, nurturing home. The doctor may recommend hearing and vision testing, as well as testing for any other medical problems related to FAS.

Social Services

Professional support helps a family cope with caring for a child with birth defects. Services include respite care and parent training. You can learn ways to handle behavior problems and stress management techniques.

Special Education

Programs designed to meet your child's needs can help improve learning. For example, messages may need to be repeated. Tasks may need to be broken down into smaller steps.

Supportive Environment

A supportive environment is one that uses these guidelines:

Provide consistent direction and structure.

Keep to routines.

Establish simple rules, limits, and consequences.

Praise desired behaviors.

Do not threaten. Violence or abuse increases the risk the child will learn to react in a similar fashion. Your child may need special training to learn ways to handle anger.

Prevention

Efforts to prevent fetal alcohol syndrome are important.

Avoid drinking alcohol if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Also, take
folic acid
to prevent other birth defects.

Avoid heavy drinking when not using birth control. Damage can occur before you even know you are pregnant.

Seek help from a doctor if you cannot stop drinking.

Use birth control until you are able to quit drinking.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Drinking and your pregnancy. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism website. Available at:
http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/DrinkingPregnancy%5FHTML/pregnancy.htm.
Published 2006. Accessed July 26, 2013.